Randy Moss: 'I love it here'

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss avoids being tackled by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph in the second quarter of their NFL football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts September 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Adam Hunger)

MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Randy Moss admits he met with New England coach Bill Belichick earlier this week concerning the wideout’s rant Sunday that he likely would not be with the team next season.

“I can’t really talk about it but I will let the cat out of the bag a bit,” Moss said in a phone interview with ESPN Tuesday. “He just told me I have to watch what I do and watch what I say.”

Moss’s response?

“I said: “Yes sir,””

Moss, in the final year of a contract that will pay him $6.4 million US, said during his post-game rant that he would like to feel appreciated by the organization, which has yet to hold any discussions with him about an extension.

Moss, who can be seen on YouTube leading his team in a post-game celebration after the Pats 38-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, has been ripped for bringing up his contract concerns when the story should have been New England’s feel-good victory.

“I understand the timing could have been better,” said Moss Tuesday, sounding quite personable and upbeat. “But it’s probably the first and last time I’m going to talk about my contract and I needed to get it off my chest. I didn’t want it coming up in Weeks 12 or 13 when it might be a distraction.”

Moss also continued to stress that he does not want to leave New England.

“ I love it here, I love the way they do things here, I love coach Belichick,” he said. “I want to stay. But at the same time it’s a business. And at the end of the day, I have to look out for what’s best for my family.”

By all accounts, Patriot players and coaches claim Moss has been a model citizen since arriving in New England.

“I know I came here with some baggage but I’ve tried to start with a clean slate since I arrived here,” he said. “I think I’ve done that.”